Tier 3 — preclinical

Beneficial effects of creatine, CoQ10, and lipoic acid in mitochondrial disorders

M Christine Rodriguez, James R MacDonald, Daniel J Mahoney, Gianni Parise, M Flint Beal, Mark A Tarnopolsky
Muscle & Nerve 2007 35(2):235-242

Bibliography

PubMed
PMID 17080429
DOI
10.1002/mus.20688
Funding
Not reported in the accessible PubMed abstract.
Competing interests
Not reported in the accessible PubMed abstract.

Study snapshot

DesignRandomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial
ModelHuman mitochondrial cytopathies
Sample16 participants
InterventionCombination of creatine monohydrate, CoQ10 and alpha-lipoic acid
DurationCrossover treatment periods; exact duration not summarized in the PubMed abstract
EndpointsResting plasma lactate; Urinary 8-isoprostanes; Ankle dorsiflexion strength; Fat-free mass; Cellular energy dysfunction markers

What the study showed, in plain terms

A creatine-CoQ10-alpha-lipoic-acid combination improved several surrogate metabolic and strength-related measures in 16 people with mitochondrial disorders. Because all three ingredients were given together, the study cannot show that CoQ10 alone caused the effects.

Key findings

Resting lactate and urinary 8-isoprostanes decreased, and decline in peak ankle dorsiflexion strength was attenuated. Fat-free mass improved only in the MELAS subgroup.

What this study can and cannot tell us

Very small and heterogeneous sample, combination intervention, mostly surrogate outcomes and inability to attribute benefit to CoQ10 alone.

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Last verified

Dr. Khaled Mahmoud, MBBChCritical Care Medicine, Longevity Science & Editorial Direction Dr. Amr Yasser, PhDCardiometabolic, Musculoskeletal, Gut & Bioavailability Dr. Abdulla Mostafa, PhDCellular Senescence, Neurological, Mitochondrial & Brain-Ageing Biology